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Donald Ferris Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Ferris
James Slagle
December 8, 2019
Don was a key to the success of the building of the Large Binocular Telescope on Mt. Graham. Don's quiet wisdom added so much to the program. He put together a financial program that allowed us to track our costs and expenditures at a moment's notice. It dovetailed with the University of Arizona's financial program and made it a significant addition to this world leading astronomical program. I will always remember Don as my personal friend, where we relived Air Force stories, shared home improvement projects, and most important -shared stories about our children. I will always remember, my friend Don.
Charmen Haag
December 31, 2014
I just learned of Don's passing today. My deepest sympathy to all of Don's family. I didn't know Don for long but felt a special connection to him and Joyce as well as Kelley and others that were in his hospital room. He is with all of you in spirit and fly's as an angel now. God Bless and praying for peace, healing and strength to all!
John Margaglione
December 30, 2014
The world loses another bright light. Uncle Don was such a great guy. I enjoyed every conversation with him, and always appreciated his genuine and honest thoughts. I will miss him.
Michele Skyrm (DePalma)
December 30, 2014
Prayers to the entire Ferris Family.
Patti Lugo
December 29, 2014
I did not know Don but I know he had to be an amazing man because he raise my nephew Joe and Joe is an outstanding man. I am so sorry for your loss.
Joseph M. Ferris
December 29, 2014
I miss my Dad very much. I'm attaching the wonderful eulogy my brother Matt delivered at my Dad's funeral for those of you that weren't able to make it. Thank you Matt
This is going to be far more difficult to do than I ever would have imagined. Not just because this is my father's eulogy, but also because I was told to make this quick. Well other than my dad and my brother John, there are a few people who talk slower than I do. So bear with me; I talk slow, I'm going to choke up several times, and there is a ton I'd like to say about my dad.
I'd like to first thank you all for coming today. This is a fitting eulogy in itself because it truly shows how many lives my dad has touched. I know there are a lot of heavy hearts today…teary eyes, and runny noses. Forgive me if I sound a bit cliché, but this is supposed to be a celebration. They say we are supposed to be happy for my dad that he has made the final journey; a journey that he spent an entire life preparing for. So I was trying to think of why we are so sad and maybe come to some understanding. After thinking about it, I came up with a couple of theories.
My first theory is selfishness. We don't want him to go. We are not done with him. We still need him here. It's not your turn! [shakes fist at God] The second reason could be attributed to a lack of faith. Not truly knowing where my dad is right now. And it's not a question of Heaven or Hell. If my dad didn't go directly through the pre check lane into heaven, then everyone here is in serious trouble! No, I'm talking about faith in what comes next.
Selfishness and a lack of faith are the very last words I would use to describe my dad!
Don Ferris was the most selfless man I ever knew. He spent his life serving others, from his career in the Air Force, his work with St. Vincent DePaul, Habitat for Humanity, and his work as a deacon at Saint Francis de Sales. Anytime we needed anything, he'd drop what he was doing and help. He would never ask for anything in return. I remember as a kid, he picked up a hitchhiker on a few occasions that looked like they could use a ride. Without a care for his own safety…or the safety of his kids in the backseat, he would give them a ride as far as he could and maybe give them a bit of cash if he could spare it. I remember my dad's very first sermon as a newly ordained deacon. He said “Preach the Word of God every day of your life…and when appropriate, use your words.” This is exactly how my dad lived his life. He was a man of action and very few words. He led by example. He gave to this world without taking anything back. We all have a huge void to fill. We are all going to have to step it up. “It's not fair!” is something I never heard my dad say. Those are the words of selfish people. If you ever find yourself saying “it's not fair”, think of my dad. It's not about you. It's about how you give to make this world a better place. My dad was the most selfless man.
Faith: My dad had more faith than anyone I know. My dad's faith in God gave him a life without worry. His faith gave him patience beyond comprehension. To be honest, sometimes his faith could be a little annoying. Whenever I would call with a question or life decision I needed to make, he would always say “pray about it, the answer will come to you.” I always knew that was coming, “pray about it, the answer will come to you.” But Dad! Jesus was a carpenter, you're the CPA accountant. I need to know if I can deduct these expenditures as a home office expense.” Well I can say for a fact that over 20 years of doing my own taxes, I have never been audited. Thank God! It's funny. Earlier, I was telling my mom how I was afraid I was going to collapse coming up here to give the eulogy. She replied without missing a beat, “pray about it and you'll be fine.”
Don Ferris was a true faithful selfless servant!
Now my dad wasn't entirely an angel. He had a bit of a devilish side too. He was a fierce competitor. I don't want to say that he ever cheated; he just tended to play by his own set of rules…rules he made up. Take monopoly for instance, you'd never find a rulebook at our house. I'm sure it was the first thing my dad would toss when a new box was opened because hey, what does Milton Bradley know about monopoly anyway! He had all these crazy rules like $500 because I rolled Snake Eyes, $500 plus the cash in the middle of the board for landing on free parking. I later found out that these rules never existed. Perhaps that's why I'm such a stickler for reading manuals and game rules. I imagine a game of Monopoly going on in heaven. I can hear Saint Peter now “Don! You can't put a house on electric company!” “That's not a house” my dad would say, “It's a utility power substation!” Then we'd hear St Peter say “where's the rule book? It was here a minute ago!”
My dad was quite an athlete too. At 70 years old, he was still giving us a run for our money on the tennis court. He was a national champion horseshoe pitcher. I played him in March of this year. He beat me 21 to 2 the first game! Jokingly I said “Next game you have to win by 21.” He proceeded to beat me 23 to 0. No kidding. He was a great basketball player too. He had a deadly hook shot. And by deadly, I don't just mean that he made them all the time. His technique involved planting his non-shooting hand in the face of his opponent and pushing firmly down propelling himself a bit higher and clearing himself for the shot. They don't teach that move at any Sean Miller youth basketball camp! Thanks to Google, I found out that “No Blood, No Foul” isn't a real rule in basketball. As a kid, I always wondered why Michael Jordan didn't get tackled every time he went up for a shot. Because that's how my dad taught us to play! My dad had a heck of a sense of humor, but I'd bet that very few people here ever actually heard my dad laugh. Not that he never laughed, he laughed all the time, you just couldn't “hear” him laugh. If something was funny he just [mimic dad's no sound chuckle laugh here]. If something was really funny, he'd just [mimic dad's ‘tsst' snake sound chuckle laugh here] If my dad thought something was hilarious he would go [mimic dad's ‘DA!!' laugh here].
I can proudly say, and can back it up with plenty of data, that my dad was one of the greatest men to walk the earth. And we are all lucky to have known him. And he was lucky to have met my mom. Married 48 years and together they raised, in my opinion, the best bunch around. Thank you Mom!
I'd like to finish by asking all of us to be a bit more like Don Ferris, full of faith and selfless giving. Our world needs it. Perhaps it will help us to be a little happier today for my dad on his new journey. I think my nephew Jakob Ferris put it best, when my sister-in-law Lucy told him that Grandpa Ferris has gone to heaven, Jakob said, & I quote, “Yea!” That is the attitude we all need to have. I Love You Dad.
Patty Ferreira
December 26, 2014
My condolences to the Ferris family. Don was a very kind man.
Steve Hartman
December 22, 2014
I remember Don Ferris as a peacemaker during our sometimes contentious staff meetings while developing a new weapons system. He was a good boss. May God's peace be with his family.
Thailand 1970
Arnold Barrett
December 21, 2014
I shared every assignment with Don our first 4 years in the air force, including Thailand and B-66's. It was great having someone you know in a strange place, and that someone couldn't have been a better person than Don Ferris. My condolences to Joyce and his wonderful family.
L Martin
December 19, 2014
Memories come flooding back when you see a name of someone you knew years ago. May your family find comfort and peace in Gods word at this time.
Frank Valdes
December 17, 2014
Don was one of the most interesting people to be around when I saw him at work.
Judy Dennis(Horan)
December 16, 2014
I am sorry for the Ferris family's loss. But Don is now another Angel watching over them. Joyce was such a loving wife and will always have him in her heart.
Ken Black
December 15, 2014
One of the best people I served with, what a great man and somebody I'm very proud to have known. May God rest his soul and bless his family.
Jim & Molly Mayer
December 14, 2014
Condolences to all the Ferris family. Remembering a great boss...
James Slagle
December 14, 2014
Don will always be remembered as a key to the successful completion of the Large Binocular Telescope. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Jim Slagle
John Shoulta
December 14, 2014
A gentle soul now rests in God's care. He was one of the best men I ever knew.
Andy Corder
December 14, 2014
Don will be missed in so many ways. May God bring comfort to your family.
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